Strip-working



J. F. GAIL.

STRIP WORKING. APPLICATION FILED JUNE 13, 1919.

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STRIP WORKING.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 13, 1919.

,3649271 0 atsnted Jan. 4, 1921,

5 S HEET L.

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STRIP WORKING.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 13, 1919.

Patented Jan. 4,1921.

' 5 SHEET S-SHEET 4.

J. F. GAIL.

STRIP WORKING.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 13. 1919 1,364,271.

Patented Jan. 4, 1921.

5 SHEETSSHEET 5- UNITED STATES PATENT OFF CE.

JOHN F. enrnornvnnsrr'on, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR 'ro sIMI/Ions column, or H KENOSHA, WISGONSINLA CORPORATION OF DELAWARE.

STRIP-WORKING.

Application filed June 18,

strip-working, and has particular reference to a process and mechanism by which lengths of strip metal, such as slats, may be automatically punched and cut off from a continuous strip supply. The invention is v of particular value in the economical production of the relatively thin sheet metal slats used in the construction of spring 'mattresses or bed bottoms.

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The principal object of the invention is to provide a continuously operating, rapid, efiicient, and economical process and ma chine of the class described.

In the drawings which accompany this application and illustrate a preferred embodiment of my invention,

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a bed-slat machine embodying my invention, certain parts being shown broken away in order better to illustrate the mechanical construction;

Fig. 2 is a section taken on the line 22 of Fig. l;

' Fig. 3 is a plan view of the machine shown in Fig. 1; certain parts also being broken away; 1 l

Fig. 4: is a plan view of one of the perforating mechanisms;

Fig. 5 is an elevation of the parts shown in Fig. 4; v F

Fig. his a plan view of the combination perforating and severing mechanism;

Fig. 7 is a section taken on the line 7-7 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 8 is a section taken on the line 8-8 of Fig. 6., and "Fig. 9 is aplan view of one I of the slats which the particular machine illustrated is designed to roduce.

lteferring to the drawlngs, 20 represents a hollow, cast-iron, substantially rectangular casting which constitutes the main frame upon which the various operating parts are mounted. @n one end of said frame there is bolted an outwardly and upwardly projecting arm or bracket 21, the upper end of which supports the strip-straightening de- Specification of Letters Patent.

1919. Serial No. 303,812.

vices. It will be understood that the'strip 22 is delivered to the machine in a horizontal direction from a continuous coil or reel of material, the coil having-its axis vertical PatentedJan. 4-, 1921.

so that the strip will be delivered in edgdwise relation side vertical.

The strip-straightening devices comprise a set of axially vertical staggered pressure rolls 23, each of said rolls being carried in 'a suitable slide 24: mounted transversely in a rectangular channel 25 milled in the upper end of the bracket 21. slides 24 is capable of being adjusted by means of opposed set screws 26 and 27,-so that the relative position of therolls 23 may be changed or adjusted in an obvious manner so as to cause the desired straightening efiect. y

At each end of the rectangular channel 25 there is located a guide block 28, said guide-block being rigidly secured. in the end of the channel 25 by means of suitable fiat-head screws 29-. Said-guide-block- 28 is formed with a small standard 30, the top of the block 28 and one side of the standthat is to say, with its long Each of the ard 30' being milled or planed out to accommodate a' wear-block 31. Said wearblock 31 may be securely fastened'in its mounting 30 by-means of one or'more suitable flat-head screws 32. The wear-block 31 has its outer face milled in the form of a slot, as shown .at 33 in Fig. 2, said slot being spanned by a steel pin 34 suitably positioned to accommodate the strip 22 with sufiic-ient' clearance to prevent binding as it is drawn therethrough. It will be understood that the width of the slot 33 is such as to admit the width of the strip, thesides 35 of the guide-slots thus furnishing a vertical support and guide for the strip as it enters the machine.

As shown best in Fig. 3, the sides of the frame 20 are furnished with bearing bosses 36 and 37 in which there is-rotatably suphorizontal shaft 42 mounted to rotate in too bearings 43 and 44 formed at the delivery end of the frame. Said shaft 42drives a pair of spaced apart sprocket wheels 45 and 46, which are rigidly keyed to the shaft 42.

The sprocket wheels 45 and 46 drive a pair of similar link chains 47 and 48, each of said chains being made in four sections, A, B, C, and-D. The sections of the chains, instead of being joined together by ordinary links, are connected through a set of four carriers, 49, 50, 51 and 52, each of said carriers being common to and extending between the two chains 47 v and 48.

Each of the carriers comprises a steel casting having extensions 53. and 54 at the ends thereof. and in the under sides of these extensions thereare cut pockets 55 to accommodate the pairs of end links 56 on the ends of the chain sections which the carriers connect. Pivotal connection between the link plates 56 and the carriers is effected by means of pivot pins 57 and the'usual rollers 58 located between the link plates 56. Since the'spacing between the centers of the pivot pins 57 and each carrier is different from that of the chain links, I find it convenient to provide on each of the sprockets 47 and 48 diametrically opposite toothless portions 59 and60.

The chains 47 and 48 extend tothe receiving end of the machine, the upper stretch of each chain being horizontal, and parallel with a horizontal table or bed 61 extending across between the sides of the frame casting 20 and forming a slide surface for supporting the carriers 49, 50, 51 and 52 as they are moved along the horizontal stretch. Sprocket wheels are not employed at the receiving end of the machine. In lieu thereof, I use a pair of semi-circular internal guides 62, the peripheries of which are narrow enough to enter between the internal link plates 56 of the chain sections and form tracks for the chain rollers to slide orroll over. Each of said semi-circular guide tracks 62 is formed as a part of a casting 63 clamped to an extension or arm 64 at each side of the main frame. 'Said castings 63 are secured in position by means of cap screws 65 which are tapped into the parts 63 and pass through apertures66 in the extensions 64, said apertures 66 being preferably'made in the form of slots 'in order to permit of desired chain adjustment. Preferably, the upper portions of the sides of the main'frame20 are formed with ledges 67 which form horizontal tracks, being continuations of the curved tracks 62 at the ends of said chains, thereby supporting the chain in its horizontal movement parallel with the table 61.

Each, of the carriers 49, 50, 51 and 52 carries mechanism'forpunching or cutting the strip, while at the same time being effecuous strip supply 22. In either case, the.

punching mechanism is arranged in substantially the same generalmanner 1n the earner.

Each carrier is formed with a dovetailed channel in which is located a cast-iron simi- Y larly dove-tailed die-block 74, said die-block being set on edge and being secured in position in thecarrier by means of a suitable cap 75 bolted to the top of the carrier by cap screws 76 and forming a removable wall of the dovetailed channel heretofore referred to. Each -of said die-blocks 74 is equipped with a steel die 77 having suitable die apertures therein, a hole 78 being drilled in the die-block 74 to deliver the punchings into the dump channel 74*. In the case of the punch mechanism for perforating the pairs of holes 68, 69, and 70, the die is made with a pair .of holes to accommodate the punches 79, as shown best in Fig. 7, while in the case of the punch mechanism which is used for severing the metal length and forming the end holes, the die is constructed withholes to fit the perforating punches 8 0 and the severing punch or cutter 81. V

The punches in the case of each of the carriers, are removably secured in the end of the punch slide 82 mounted to reciprocate in suitable guides 83 and 84 formed in the intermediate part of the carrier. It will be understood that suitable stripper means may be associated with the punches said stripper means in the present case comprising a vertically-disposed plate 85 suitably apertured to admit the punches and having a pair of lugs or ears 86 and 87 by which it may be secured to the top of the carrler with cap screws 88.

I will now describe the means for operating the punches. Referring to Figs. 1 and 3, it will be seen that just outside the bearings. 36 and 37 there are secured to the ends of the drive shaft 38 a pair of skew gears 89 and 90, said gears meshing with mating skew gears 91 and 92, keyed, respectively, to the vertical shafts 93 and 94. Said vertical shafts 93 and 94 are mounted to rotate in suitable bearings 95. The upper ends of said shafts 93 and 94 are extended above the machine and are tied together by means 93 and 94, a pair of rolls 99 and 100.- The .said rolls 99 and 100 are of such diameter the periphery of said pressure. roll 99 as the carrier is moved past said roll. The punchoperating roll 100 is equipped with a small hardened steel nub 'or'projection 102 which is suitablylocated and timed to enter the end .of a cylindrical aperture 103 drilled horizontally through the adjacent end of the carrier. Said aperture 103 constitutes a guide for a punch rod 104, said punch rod having on its inner end a hexagonal head 105 which engages against the rear end of the punch slide 82.

Withdrawal of the punches from the stock is efiectedloy means of a stationary cam roll 106 mounted on the depending endof a pin 107 secured in the end of an oblique arm 108 overhanging the rear end of the machine and having a vertical extension 109 by which it may be bolted to the side of the machine.

Said cam roll 106 is so located that it will be engaged by the inclined surface of a block 110 securedto the top of each of the punch slides 82, thereby being effective to.

withdraw the punch slide in an obvious manner when the carrier is moved past the said cam roll 100.

The operation of the machine is continuous. According to the construction disclosed, each slat made by the machine will be of a length equal to the length of the complete chain circuit minus the section of metal which is punched out by means of the severing punch 81. Hence, where slats of a definite length are to be produced, and in order to prevent excessive waste of stock,

the punch 81 is made of the necessary widthfor proper severing of the'stock, the chain being made of the required additional length.

lhis explains the variation inthe spacing of the link pins mounted in the punch carriers 49, 50, 51, and 52, such change in spacing being made more readily than the manufacture of a complete new chain of special pitch. C

During theoperation of the machine the strip is carried continuously along through the machine by means of the punches, which are thrust into the stock for the primary purpose 'of punching the desired holes therein, and for the secondary, but no less important purpose, of engaging the strip with the continuously operating conveyer chain. It will be seen that-the up er stretch of the chain is ofsuflicient lengt so that the roll 106 is engaged by the withdrawal cam 110 slightly subsequent to the time when the punches on the next carrier have been thrust through the stock by means of the rotary nub 102. Hence, there'will be always at least one punch or set of punches engaged with the stock, thereby insuring a continuous and positive feed of the material through the machine at the same rate of speed as the chain is traveling- The severing of the stock by means of the punch 81 does not destroy the draft connec' tion between the conveyer chain and the continuous strip, for the reason that the punches 80 enter the strip slightly in advance of the time when the slat 73 is severed from the strip 22 by means of the punch81.

The scope of the invention should be destrued as broadly as possible consistent with the state of the art.

I claim: a

1. in combination, a continuously operating conveyer, a plurality of punching mechanisms carried by said conveyer, and each adapted to operate upon a length of attenuated metal carried by said conveyer and thereby to effect draft engagement between said length and conveyer, and means for successively actuating said punch mechanisms.

2. In combination, a continuously operating, conveyer, a plurality of punching mechanisms carried by said conveyor, and eaph adapted to operate upon a length. of attenuated metal carried bysaid conveyor and thereby to effect draft engagement between said metal length and said conveyer, and means for successively actuating said punch mechanisms, one of said punch mechanisms being effective to sever said length.

3.111 combination, acontinuously operating traveling conveyer, a plurality of punchin'g mechanisms carried by said conveyer, each adapted to operate upon a length of attenuated metal carried by said conveyer and thereby to effect draft engagement between saidmetal length and said conveyer, means for successively actuating said punch mechanisms, and means for withdrawing the first punch from engagement with the metal subsequent to the engagement of the second punch.

4. The improvement in the art of converting a continuous strip into lengths, which consists in moving the strip forward, perllll lltl

ing and moving the strip, and subsequently severing the perforated length.

6. The improvement in the art of converting a continuous strip of attenuated metal into perforated lengths, which consists in moving the strip continuously forward, succeeding portion of the strip prior to the severing operation whereby said latter portion may be moved forward.

7. The combinationof a carrier, a punch and die mounted on said carrier, anti-friction means for supporting one side ofsaid carrier While thelatter is in transit, and a rotary member on the other side of said carrier for eflecting an operative movement of the punch while in transit.

8. The combination of a chain conveyer, a carrier mounted on said conveyer, a die mounted on said carrier, a punch mounted to reciprocate on said carrier in a direction transverse to the. direction of travel of the carrier, means for effecting an operative movement of said punch while the carrier is moving, and means for retracting said punchafter a further predetermined amount of travel.

9. In combination, an endless chain conveyer, a plurality of carriers mounted on said conveyer, each of said carriers being provided with a die and a punch cooperating with said die and reciprocable on said carrier in a direction transverse to the direction of the latter, and means for successively and automatically operating said punches at a predetermined time in the movement of said chain to pierce a strip of attenuated metal moving with said chain.

10. In combination, a pair of parallel, spaced apart, endless conveyor chains, a plurality of carriers connecting said chains, the ends of said carriers forming parts of the chains, a punch and die mounted on each of said earners, and means for actuating said punch and die mechanism on each of said carriers successively at a predetermined point 1n the travel of said chains.

inseam tially at right angles to the direction of punch movement, means on said rotary member for actuating said punch during the travel of the carrier past said rotary member, and means for driving said rotary member to operate said actuating means in proper timed relation.

12. In combination, an endless chain conveyer, means for causing continuous travel of said chain, a carrier mounted to travel with said chain, a die on said carrier, a punch cooperating with said die and mounted to slide in said carrier in a direction transverse to the direction of travel, a member rotatable on a stationary axis substantially at right angles to the direction of punch movement, means on said rotary member for actuating said punch during the travel of the carrier past said rotary member, and means positively geared to the' chain for driving said rotary member to operate said actuating means in proper timed relation.

13. In combination, an endless chain c0nveyer, means for causing continuous travel of said chain, acarrier mounted to travel with said chain, a die on said carrier, a punch codperating with said die and mounted to slide in said carrier in a direction transverse to the direction of travel, a member rotatable on a stationary axis substantially at right angles to the direction of punch movement, means on said rotary member for actuating said punch during the travel of the carrier past said rotary member, means geared to the chain for driving said rotary member to operate said actuating means in proper timed relation, and a roll member mounted on a stationary axis on the side of the chain opposite from thepunchactuating member for supporting the thrust of said punch.

J 0H1}? F. GAIL. 

